All Schools to Reopen on 12th February Due to Cholera Outbreak

Zambia’s Education Minister, Hon. Douglas Syakalima, has announced the further postponement of the reopening of schools for the 2024 term due to the ongoing cholera outbreak. 

Initially scheduled for 29th January, schools will now resume on 12th February, as decided in a meeting held by the National Disaster Management and Mitigation Council of Ministers on 24th January 2024.

The Minister explained that the decision to delay the reopening was made in light of the current health crisis affecting the country. This follows an earlier announcement on 4th January 2024, where the Education Minister postponed the reopening from 8th to 29th January due to the cholera outbreak.

Hon. Syakalima emphasized that the Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff. To compensate for the lost time, the school calendar for 2024 has been adjusted. 

According to the revised schedule, schools and colleges will now open for term one on Monday, 12th February 2024, and close on Friday, 26th April 2024. 

Term two is set to commence on Monday, 6th May 2024, and conclude on Friday, 9th August 2024. For term three, schools and colleges are scheduled to open on Monday, 2nd September 2024, and close on Friday, 6th December 2024.

The Minister urged the nation to continue utilizing alternative modes of learning that have been implemented by the Ministry of Education during this extended period of closure. 

These measures aim to ensure that students do not miss out on crucial educational content while the country navigates the challenges posed by the cholera outbreak.

Parents, students, and educators are encouraged to stay updated on any further developments through official channels, and the Ministry of Education has emphasized its commitment to the well-being and academic progress of the nation’s students during these challenging times.